Exxon-Mobil Deal May Face
Close Scrutiny by Regulators

By

Bryan Gruley Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Nov. 30, 1998 12:01 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON -- A merger of Exxon Corp. and Mobil Corp. would draw lengthy and detailed scrutiny by antitrust regulators, who could force the companies to sell gas stations, refineries and other assets in areas where the companies currently compete.

But even such divestitures wouldn't necessarily assure that the merger passes regulatory muster, antitrust experts and government officials said. Enforcers could see so many potentially...